The Coolest Streets and Neighbourhoods in Cairo

Muizz Street should totally be on the top of your list when visiting Cairo. Named after the fourth Fatimid Caliph Al-Mu’izz li-Deen Illah, Muizz Street is considered to be one of the oldest streets in Cairo and is one of the most vibrant and historic spots in the city. It extends from Bab A-Futuh (one of three remaining gates in the walls of Old Cairo) to Bab Zuweila, where you’ll find several markets in Al-Azhar Street and the Ghuriya Complex and the area around it. Here, there are plenty of stalls to buy souvenirs and antiques from. The whole area is rich with dozens of historic buildings from different eras including the Tulunid, Fatimid and Mamluk eras. According to a United Nation’s study, the street contains the largest gathering of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world.

Saliba (Cross) Street is another significant historic spot that dates back to the Middle Ages’ Cairo with numerous examples of great architecture from the Islamic period. The area, which now can be considered as an open-air museum, was once a residence to the state’s most important men — mostly from 1312 until 1517. Extending from the Citadel to the Ibn Tulun, and Sayyida Zeinab Mosque, the area has an abundance of Islamic monuments including mosques, schools, kuttab (an Islamic primary school mostly connected to the mosque), shrines and others.

Named after Talaat Pasha Harb, a famous Egyptian economist, the street was once a center for many social activities among the elites in Cairo. Now, it is considered as one of the most active streets in the city. It is located in the heart of Cairo’s European-ized area, Wust El-Balad (downtown). While strolling the street, you’ll be fascinated with the elegant historic buildings and the artistic atmosphere. You’ve got to try taking a walk there late at night.

One of the biggest streets in Wust El-Balad and a home to several stores, nightlife spots, and important historic landmarks in Cairo is Qasr El Nil Street. It starts from Abdeen Square, passing by Bab El-Louq Market, American University downtown, Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum until it crosses the Nile through Qasr El Nil Bridge and then reaches Gezira Island. The important landmarks located here include Abdeen Palace (a historic royal residence), Egyptian Museum, Mogamma El Tahrir, Cairo Opera House and Museum Of Modern Egyptian Art.

Being one of the most elegant streets in the Zamalek neighborhood, this street is named after a successful Egyptian engineer who was chosen by Muhammed Ali Pasha to be among the students sent for the first scholarship in Paris to study marine engineering in 1826. The street is now home to several embassies, including the Algerian and Iraqi embassies as well as Princess Samiha Palace (she was Sultan Hussein Kamel’s daughter) which was later turned into Greater Cairo Public Library which houses everything written about Cairo since it was first established.

Here is a list of the most beautiful spots to stroll in Cairo where you can best explore this charming city as recommended by local expert Sarah Marzouk.

Surviving since 1092, Bab Zuweila is one of the last three remaining gates in Cairo, and the only surviving from the southern gates from the walls of the Fatimid era (the 11th and 12th centuries). The wall has two minarets where you can climb and see the beautiful view of Old Cairo. There was a dungeon west of this wall where Amir Al Mu’ayyad was imprisoned. When Mu’ayyad was released he demolished the dungeon and built the Mosque of Sultan Al Mu’ayyad. Bab Zuweila lies in Old Cairo where you can enjoy seeing lots of Old Cairo’s historical buildings that hark back to the Islamic Cairo.

This is a part of Old Cairo that existed before the Islamic era. Here you can find many Coptic churches and historical places including Babylon Fortress, Coptic Museum, Greek Church of St. George. It is believed that the Holy Family once visited the neighborhood and spent some time at the area consisting of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church. Although the Coptic era existed before the Islamic period, most of the existing buildings were constructed after the Muslim ruling.

Located near the Mokattam hills is Salah El Din Citadel, an Islamic fortress that goes back to the Middle Ages. The citadel currently is home to amazing historical spots. On a very special place inside the citadel stands Mohamed Ali Mosque which was built between 1828 and 1848 with its amazing Ottoman-style architecture. The Mosque of Mohamed Ali isn’t the only one inside the citadel, there are two other mosques – Al-Nasir Muhammad Qala’un Mosque that goes back to the 14th century, and Suleyman Pasha Mosque that goes back to 16th century. The place also is home to Al-Gawhara Palace, Carriage Museum, and Egyptian Military Museum.

Situated on Gezira Island in the Nile River, the Zamalek neighborhood dates back to the 19th century with its European-style architecture. The area has many art galleries, embassies and different restaurants. You can take a walk along the river (corniche) while enjoying the beautiful view of the buildings. The district also contains The Palace of Arts, located in Nile Grand Hall, the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art which contains a number of impressive 20th-century art pieces, and the Cairo Tower where you can enjoy the view of Cairo.

With its Europeanized-style and grand old buildings that date back to 19th century, Downtown (Wust El Balad) is one of the most charming and peaceful places in Cairo. Talaat Harb Square is the most renowned of them, with old historical remnants there. The area is also features Abdeen Palace, where Egypt’s last khedives lived, which is now opened for the public as a museum. Also here are the Egyptian Museum, Mohamed Mahmoud Street which is now called “Eyes of Freedom” after the Egyptian revolution, and numerous old cafés and restaurants.